KANNDID X SHOREDITCH

In Shoreditch and got the munchies, deep thirst, free time, dance vibes? Then follow through…

I obviously love eating but I do a fair amount of drinking and bopping around town, so I thought why not do a guide of sorts you know?

I’m going to kick off the first one with Shoreditch (extending out to include Old Street) in East London. Some people turn their nose up and say it’s DONE – hideously crowded come weekend nights and teeming with tourists on seemingly endless graffiti tours. Whilst not an entirely unfair summation, I do think it would be massively shortsighted to dismiss Shoreditch. It’s got a bunch of good spots to eat, shop and much more to keep you occupied.

Below is a shortlist of places I rate, for the full Shoreditch shebang, make sure to check out the Map

DINE

Casual eats to more formal sit down spots

GO HERE FOR…TASTY FRENCH TAPAS IN A COOL SPACE

Image @ Whale Lifestyle

French Tapas | RR | £££

Sister restaurant to Blanchette Soho – it’s got that similar vintage bric a brac feel whilst being totally modern at the same time and sticks to its small plates set up. Out back, they’ve got an elegant but casual private dining space that can hold up to 14 ppl (at a real squeeze). One of their ‘snacks’ and x2/3 of the bigger plates (meat / fish / vegetable) should satiate your hunger.

BASIC OR BOUGIE? Ba-Bou

SERVICE IS Sleek, Casual, V. Friendly

TRY The Cheese Beignets + Baked Eggs

GROUPS Up to 14 ppl

GO HERE FOR…LOADSA DECENT STREET FOOD GRUB

Image @ DrinkUp.London

Street Food | NR | £

Dinerama is brought to us by the folks at Street Feast who operate a bunch of similar street food markets across London. Hyped spots like Breddos Tacos cut their teeth here before going off to open up their own standalone brick and mortar stores. Traders generally do long stints here but best to check the website for the latest deets. FYI, it’s 3 quid to get in past 7pm.

BASIC OR BOUGIE? Basic

SERVICE IS DIY

TRY The Halloumi Fries @ Laffa

GROUPS Large Groups

GO HERE FOR…SLOPPY, TASTY 20″ WOOD FIRED PIZZAS

Image @ Homeslice

Sloppy Pizzas | W&R | £

Tasty Neapolitan style pizzas. WARNING, they are super sloppy. Served by the slice or opt for the 20″ pizzas. A few classics on the menu but it’s mostly seasonal interesting options like aubergine, cauliflower cheese, spinach & harissa. The house prosecco at a fiver is drinkable. Branches in Covent G, Fitzrovia & Old St. Mostly walk in but they accept some reservations.

BASIC OR BOUGIE? Basic

SERVICE IS Solid, Casual, Friendly

TRY The Veggie Pizzas

GROUPS Def Up to 10ppl, Maybe More

GO HERE FOR…MEEEEEEAAAATTT

Image @ MKR Property

BBQ | RR | ££

Ain’t nothing about this place I don’t like. Only had a few snacks when I went – all top notch. Brisket Bun – tick. Crispy Ox Cheek with anchovy mayo? Sensational. It’s so incredibly rich and needs balancing out – get a salad to balance things out. The Smoked Aubergine with toasted cashew and burnt honey – hubba hubba. Looks wise, it’s rusted iron chic in the basement and dense dark wood on the upper deck…Spartan in design, laid back and hella sexy. Vibe on point. Service tip top. Great value for money. Currently one of my fave spots in town.

BASIC OR BOUGIE? Ba-Bou

SERVICE IS Sleek, Casual, V. Friendly

TRY The Crispy Ox Cheek + Aubergine

GROUPS Up to 12ppl

GO HERE FOR…TOASTED AVOCADO CAKE & CHILLED VIBES

Coffee Shop | NR | £

I don’t drink coffee – go ahead and judge me – but I do eat cake. OD’d on this avocado cake you see right here – so frigging moist and their pistachio cronut is worth hitting up. The owner’s a lovely chap; the space itself is miniature and oozes effortless cool.

BASIC OR BOUGIE? Ba-Bou

SERVICE IS Solid, Casual, Friendly

TRY The Avocado Cake

GROUPS Sorta – Up to 3ppl

DRINK

Some places to get your booze on

GO HERE FOR…WHISKY AND MORE WHISKY

Whisky Bar

Intimate whisky bar with half the trunk of a splendid 185 yr old oak tree serving as the central table, which also has taps attached dispensing two types of whisky. There are high tables that seat up to 4 people, so ideal for groups.

GO HERE FOR…COCKTAILS IN A DARK ATMOSPHERIC SPACE

Cocktail Bar

This Victorian inspired basement bar serves up interesting cocktails

DANCE

Boogie woogie

WHERE TO DANCE IN SHOREDITCH? GOOD QUESTION…

I don’t really ever go clubbing in Shoreditch. In fact I don’t really go clubbing full stop. The thing with dancing in London is it’s mostly about who’s putting on the night, so it’s best to check out what’s on. Obviously you’ve got the big ass clubs like Cargo and XOYO but that ain’t really my vibe + expect long queues especially at the weekend. If pushed, here are some places I’d consider in the area:

This bowling chain has an outpost on Bricklane – just grab something to eat pre or post bowling as the food here isn’t brilliant.

GO HERE FOR…PING PONG X BOOZE

Casual Bar + Event Space

The Book Club is an all day dining spot – they host live music and art events in their basement and on the same floor as the dining room / bar, they have a space that houses a ping pong table. The food is meh, so just grab a drink and get to battle with some little balls.

GO HERE FOR…QUALITY VINTAGE GARMS

Vintage Shop

Brick Lane is probably best know for the plethora of Indian restaurants situated here and the high concentration of vintage shops. One of my favourite vintage shops is probably the biggest of them all – Blitz on Hanbury Street – vast but well ordered and well priced.

GO HERE FOR…FLOWERS INNIT

Flower Market

Not technically Shoreditch, more Hoxton way, this popular flower market is open every Sunday. Come early to avoid the MASSIVE stream of people. There’s a bunch of cute shops dotted around Columbia Road, so if the market gets too overwhelming, dip into one of these for a breather. Also, a shortwalk from good spots like The Marksman and Morito on Hackney Road.

GO HERE FOR…DELECTABLE CHOCOLATES

Image @ Bamblings of Naffy

Chocolate Shop

Make a pit stop by this awesome chocolate shop on Brick Lane. Try the white chocolate and passion fruit, it’s real yum. They also have a sit down cafe a few doors down on Brick Lane – I haven’t tried the hot chocolate but I’ve seen pics of it and it looks insanely good.

This lifestyle streetwear shop (Menswear & Womenswear) on Curtain Road stocks brands like Aries and Norse Projects. alongside things for the home from brands such as Ferm Living.

GO HERE FOR…FRIDA KAHLO BEADED CURTAINS & MORE

Image @ Maiden

Shop With Fun Bits & Bobs

Maiden’s a fun den of eclectic products – if you’re after a random 2ft plastic flamingo for a tropical party or a Frida Khalo bamboo curtain to jazz up an entrance or a unicorn sprinkles shaker, just for lols, you’ll most probably find it here. Sure, you can buy all this stuff on Amazon but it’s just a little more fun here.